TONI MORRISON

3 Quotes From Jonathan Kozol

Jessica Smith
Professor Young
October 27, 2015
3 Quotes

1. Perhaps most damaging to any serious effort to address racial segregation openly is the refusal of most of the major arbiters of culture in our northern cities to confront or even clearly name an obvious reality they would have castigated with a passionate determination in another section of the nation fifty years before—and which, moreover, they still castigate today in retrospective writings that assign it to a comfortably distant and allegedly concluded era of the past.

2. Dear Mr. Kozol," wrote the eight-year-old, "we do not have the things you have. You have Clean things. We do not have. You have a clean bathroom. We do not have that. You have Parks and we do not have Parks.

3. I had made repeated visits to a high school where a stream of water flowed down one of the main stairwells on a rainy afternoon and where green fungus molds were growing in the office where the students went for counseling. A large blue barrel was positioned to collect rain-water coming through the ceiling.

Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work

Example of Public School Teachers

Jessica Smith 

Prof. Young

English 1100

September 25, 2015

Agree or Disagree?

       After reviewing the article, "Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work," written by Jean Anyon, she brings up a lot of good information and points that make you think about the vibes of a classroom. She goes through each class starting with the Working Class, then the Middle Class, the Affluent Profession School and then the Executive Elite Schools. When talking about each class and the schools those individuals attend, Anyon explains the attitudes of both the students and the teachers. Although this article was written in 1980, her points are still valid. I agree with the points she makes about teachers giving different instruction based on the class the students are in. 

     To start off, I would say I went to a high school that had a majority of middle and working class students. Then over the summer after I graduated a met a girl who went to Ranney, which is considered to be an Executive Elite School. We compared our schools and there was a huge difference in many things. To start off, she had much more work and went much further into many subject than I ever have. In her English classes, she went into depth in many novels such as Macbeth where as I would only be told to read short novels and be done with it within a week of discussing main characters. As far as math was concerned, she knew how to solve complex problems with simple tricks and mental math. I, on the other hand would stare at the same problem for the longest time due to the fact I was never taught how to simplify complex problems. My friend who went to Ranney also seemed to ask a bunch of questions because it was almost like she was already ready to learn more. In my middle and working class school, our teachers would teach us the bare minimum because they would just follow their curriculum. I've had teachers that refused to answer my questions because they were more concerned with getting the specific lesson over with rather than have their students understand-which is really frustrating. 

Example of Private School Teachers

     Jean Anyon talks about almost the same thing in her writing about different classes and education systems. She says how the upper class individuals learn above what is required, due to the teachers putting in more work to answer questions and help students develop their creativity minds. She is also right when she said that the middle and working class school teachers don't seem to care as much about their students and are far more strict with getting things over with. I've never went into depth with a novel, nor have I ever learned the logical and shortcuts of complex math problems. It seems as though growing up, my teachers would do the minimum of what was required because they were simply collecting paychecks. 

     Another example that I've experienced was when I was dating this boy who had a mother as a private school teacher. She was so against public schooling, (like the high school I attended) because of where she worked. She once said to my boyfriend when I wasn't around, "I don't want those public school kids coming over anymore." She thought that because my friends and I didn't go to a private school or an high end Elite School like she taught at, that we were illiterate and disgusting humans-which isn't true. Just because of the school you attend does not reflect on the person, which I wish his mother would have noticed. I still got into a great college along with getting accepted to 6 other schools with a public high school diploma. 

     It's frustrating and unfortunate that a social class determines your level of education and how some people look at you. Teachers should treat every student the same no matter what their family income consists of. Like I said previously, although this article was written in 1980, there are still instances where teachers have different rules and regulations depending at the school they are working for.

3 Quotes

Jessica Smith
English 1100_3J
September 17, 2015
Prof. Young

1. "The social class designation of each of the five schools will be identified, and the income, occupation, and other available social characteristics of the students and their parents will be described."

This quote stood out to me because it introduces how each of the schools that are about to be discussed are separated by class. I know going through a public high school, I spotted differences between my school and the private schools my cousins went to, however, this article breaks down in depth the differences between each level of schooling. I also found it very interesting that the income of the majority of the parents were discussed. It amazes me how much of an impact your family background can reflect on the school a student attends. 

2. "However, the examples of schoolwork which follow will suggest characteristics of education in each social setting that appear to have theoretical and social significance and to be worth investigation in a larger number of schools." 

This quote grabbed my attention because we know that the schoolwork is going to reflect on the school's reputation. For instance, if the school contains more students that have parents with high paying jobs, their work is going to be far different from those children who have middle class and working parents. This was interesting to read because I come from a middle class family and I would have never thought that the work I did in public school could be much different from those who attended a private school or upper class area. 

3. "One teacher explained to me, "Simple punctuation is all they'll ever use."

This quote is pulled out of a paragraph that discusses both working-class schools. What the teacher said came off rude in my opinion because it's almost like she's not even giving the children a chance. The teacher seems to be assuming that because of the area the children live in, and the school that they go to, that their parents are middle or lower class. With that being said, the teacher is also assuming that these children will never need a higher level of education due to the lives their parents live. 

Do Students Have a Right?

Jessica Smith
English 1100_3J
September 15, 2015
Prof. Young

Entitled to Your Own Language- to an Extent  

    

     When placed in an academic setting, we've always been taught to speak and write "properly." However, writing "properly” and writing in "standard English" are two different things. A proper sentence contains a subject, a verb, and sometimes an object. Now, if a sentence contains all three of those things, plus a "slang" word, is that acceptable? Many people would say no, however recently people are beginning to feel as though students should be able to write freely in order to show their true identity through their academic essays. If it were up to me, I would say slang is acceptable when used during an appropriate time. For example, students should be able to say whatever words in whatever style of writing up until a point. There are boundaries when writing in an academic setting whether people like it or not. You wouldn't randomly start cursing off your family, friends, or any other authority figures, would you? It just isn't necessary, which is why the same rules should apply in an academic setting. If a student is using a quote or slang that contains foul language I'd say use it if a powerful meaning to defend the writer’s argument for the prompt follows it. If a student just wants to throw in a curse or slang word that does not hold any significance, then I'd say they should not be allowed to do so. Students should know right from wrong when being in school or speaking around authority figures. With that being said, I feel as though they should have the freedom to write and say as they please if the words serve a purpose.
     After going over the song, "F*** The Police" as an essay, we were able to decipher what the author was trying to say through his explicit lyrics. Is what they said, right? Throughout the song, the rappers discuss racial issues, crimes, and curse repeatedly. Is what they said, necessary considering they made their points? According to the Executive Committee of the Conference on College Communication, they passed a resolution. In that resolution they stated, "We affirm strongly that teachers must have the experiences and training that will enable them to respect diversity and uphold the right of students to their own language." With that being said, students are able to say what they please according to this passage, however, I still feel as though there are boundaries. The way NWA discussed their issues with the police in the song, "F*** the Police," they curse and threaten the lives of cops because they are mad. In my overall opinion, that is no way to portray your emotions for the public. This song is doing nothing but causing conflict between races, cops and the community. NWA could have expressed their issues in a less vulgar way. 

Identity

Jessica Smith
English 1100
August 31, 2015
Prof. Young

What Does Identity Mean to Me?

       A person's identity makes up who they are, how they act and how people perceive them. When people ask what the word "identity"means to me, I always take a minute or two to actually think about that it means to me. Anyone can say how their language, clothes or household traditions are all a part of what makes up their identity. However, to me, identity is how you were raised and who you were raised by. With that being said, my family is my identity due to the fact, I would not be the person I am today without them. Personally, I think identity is what makes you-you, which I know my family helped me develop what makes me-me. Starting from the way I speak/act, how I handle situations, to the little things like my sense of humor. Everything that makes up that characteristics I carry, I feel as though my family has influenced in a positive way. 

     

To begin, my mom and dad are my biggest supporters in everything I do. They are a huge part of my identity because without them, I would not be the girl I am today. They taught me wrong from right, how to treat others, and basically everything I need to know in order to survive. 

My little sister, Jamie, is also a big part of my identity. She helps me shape the person I am as well as my parents. For example, I act a certain way to set a good example for her to follow. She helps me to choose the better choices in life, most of the time, because I know I'm laying out footsteps for her to follow. 

Overall, to me, your identity stems from your family, or your "roots." Everyone is raised differently, in different homes all over the world. Not one person is the same due to their family or how they were raised. My identity means so much to me thanks to my strong, supportive, and beautiful family who have helped create the person I am today. My family makes me - me.

Jessica Smith
English 1100
August 31, 2015
Prof. Young

How to Tame a Wild Tongue Responses

1. The opening of the scene of Anzaldua in the dentist chair connects to the overall point of the essay. The opening talks about how the dentist is telling her to have control over her tongue. Then throughout the rest of the essay, different teachers and people tell her to control how and what she says, relating to the dentist when he says to control the tongue. 

2. Anzaldua uses Spanish throughout the essay frequently. In my opinion, the words and phrases seemed to be randomly placed. However, after she explained the Spanish words with a following English definition, it did make sense. The reason she added the words and phrases in Spanish was to prove the fact she had a "loose tongue," or would say whatever she wanted without a filter. 

3.  Academic English can be defined as Standard Spanish because Standard Spanish and Academic English are both formal forms of the language. On the other hand, Chicano Spanish can also be described as nonstandard English because both of those forms are the conformal versions or "slang." If you were to create conclusions from someone's nonstandard/standard English, you are able to infer that maybe they are more carefree rather than someone who speaks standard English. For example, Anzaldua speaks spanglish because it is what she's comfortable with. She ignores other people when they try to correct her simply because she rather stay true to her own identity than please other people.

4. Speaking and writing in academic english is an identity because it is part of a person's culture. If they grew up learning how to read, write and speak academic english, then it a part of a person's identity and lifestyle. 

    
5. Different types of English identities I can describe would be slang words I've used and heard overtime. For example, moving into college this passed week I was able to learn and adapt new words from different people. Those who were from North Jersey would say "shore" or "taylor ham," while I'm used to saying "beach" and "pork roll."

6.  Yes, I use a secret language with my friends. It's considered to be more slang words than an actual language but we use the words frequently. For instance, 'banging' is another word for good. So my friends and I would say, "my day was too banging" meaning my day was too good. I consider this to be a secret language because older generations such as my parents and grandparents don't know what it means when I say it.

7.  When speaking to my friends, I would say I speak more nonstandard English than standard. I tend to say words that are slang and I also don't speak as clear when I'm around my friends. Around my mother however, I would still say I speak nonstandard English because some things I say still aren't clear or proper, though I do filter what I say around her in comparison to being around my friends. When I'm around my professors I would say I speak Standard English simply for the fact that I don't want them to think I'm disrespectful in anyway. I can talk to my friends and family in nonstandard because they know me well enough to understand that I'm not being rude or silly, when my professor on the other hand may not know me as well.

8.  When the author says "I am my language," she is saying how her language is a part of her culture which can branch off into identity. This connects to identity because language is part of what makes up a person, like Anzaldua, along with culture, clothing, ethnic background, etc.

9. The beginning of the text describes what the text is going to be about. It describes how Anzaldua lives a life where she speaks both English and Spanish but can only use them in certain times. Also it talks about how people have shared her childhood experiences, making her an influential character for those in her similar lifestyle. In the conclusion of the text, the author talk about how the different races have given up their "tongue," which disappoints her. Like in the beginning of the text, she is an influence because she stayed true to herself and kept her tongue as a part of her identity, unlike other cultures she describes in the end.

10. The language I speak can be a part of my identity. In the United States there is a wide range of different languages, although English is the first language. However, I still consider the language I speak to be a part of my identity because not everyone in the United States speaks English as I do.

11. In my opinion, identity isn't that important. I feel as though it is important to be true to yourself, however I wouldn't go out of my way to say so, as Anzaldua does. Anzaldua says in the text, ".. I am my language." With that being said, she is very passionate about the language she speaks because she considers it to be a part of her identity.